6 Puppies Rescued After Being Found in Plastic Tub with Lid Sealed Shut Inside Dumpster
Our nation’s animal shelters and rescues save thousands of abused, abandoned, and neglected cats and dogs every year. In many ways, these tireless advocates are angels in disguise.
But the hope and kindness they share arguably comes at quite a cost. Unfortunately, these individuals are forced to witness some horrific situations on a fairly regular basis.
Animal mistreatment can occur in any area — north or south, urban or rural. Increasingly, however, statistics indicate that patterns of cruel behavior aren’t necessarily confined to furry companions alone.
The National Link Coalition, based in New Jersey, regularly sheds light on the documented connection between animal abuse and domestic violence. One recent study in the Society & Animals journal, for example, found that over 70 percent of pet owners who enter domestic violence shelters mention an abuser who also harmed or killed a family pet.
Disturbing statistics like this make a recent Arkansas finding even more infuriating. Just after Memorial Day weekend, local ABC news affiliate KHBS/KHOG reported on a troubling discovery near a local Van Buren apartment complex.
Animal control officials were alerted to desperate cries coming from a dumpster. Upon arrival, rescuers discovered six tiny puppies sealed inside a hot, discarded plastic bin.
Fortunately, the agency works closely with the Almost Home Shelter, also based in Van Buren. Shelter worker and pastor Tom Hill noted that area temperatures were incredibly high at the time, and animal control officers pried the lid off the tub immediately.
Thankfully, Hill said that the tiny pups were still alive. He explained that they’re being placed in the care of a volunteer foster family, though the identity of the animal abuser(s) remains unknown.
“I am a pastor, and I’m not supposed to be a striker,” said Hill, “but the first thing I thought [was], I would love to meet these people and read them the riot act, so to speak.”
Hill also mentioned that his shelter was at maximum capacity, and currently attempting to safeguard existing animal occupants from a parvovirus outbreak. He emphasized that Almost Home could always use new donations and volunteers to nurture the numerous abandoned pets in its care.
The six rescued puppies will likely be transported to a shelter in the New England area, where they will be put up for adoption. Hill said it was extremely tough for dedicated volunteers to witness these brutal instances of animal mistreatment.
“We’ve had people bring in dogs that have been beaten, and some found with chain marks,” he said, adding that “usually how people treat a dog, cat or any animal … it means they’re going to be cruel.” But he also expressed continued determination to help fellow creatures in need.
“It makes us angry,” explained Hill, “but we think about the dogs.” As this story of six saved puppies continues to spread far and wide across social media, here’s hoping everyone can learn to focus on treating our loyal animal companions with gentleness, kindness, and compassion.
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